Automatic cupping machine



IN VEN TORS ATTORNEYS March 15, 1949. w. l.. MCNAMARA ET Al.

AUTOMATIC CUPPING MACHINE Filed March 1, 194e 6 sheets-Sheet l William L'McNamarCL Frederlck Z. Fous@l March 15, i949'. w. L. MCNAMARA ET AL 2,464,335

' r AUTOMATIC CUPPING MACHINE Filed March i, 1946 A 6 sheets-sheet 2 vENTORS Frderick Z. Fouse.

, Y BY -F' .2'

March 15, 1949. W, 1 MCNAMARA ET A| 2,464,335

AUTOMATIC CUPPING MACHINE Filed March l, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATRNEYS 59 INVENTORS W||||cm L. McNamara. 4 I H BY Frederlck Z. Fouse.

l l l 1 M, fm

March 15, 1949. W. MCNAMARA ETA. 2,464,335 I f AUTOMATIC CUPPING MCHINE Filed March 1, 1946 l l@sheets-sheet 4 73 el 7era 68 48 so 47 77 :"l". la, MHH, I 64@ 23 l 57 o 5| U' j uw H in n! nIIHImI' .l "In 52 a 1 M 3 18a ,8. 6453 42 42a 42h HM I l l eg 57 60 62M so '7 n4; 807 h www 80 i l) 8 59g l 6g 69g 59h 7| 59h Y 82" 54 FIJ/5.6

T I 72 f 3.2

453 wima/vclgam I Y 5 G ATTORNEYS Frederick Z. Fousa.

March 15, 1949. w. 1 MCNAMARA ET AL 42,464,335

AUTOMATIC CUPPING MACHINE Filed March l, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS Willlcm IL. McNamara. Fredernck Z. Fousz..

m, n ,L M AU'URNEYS March 15, 1949. W, 1 MCNMARA ETAL 2,464,335

AUTOMATIC CUPPING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENToRs Wllllam'L. McNamara.

Frderck Z. Fouse.

a 5 I 7a4/fw@ A TTR/VE YS patented Mar. 15, 1949 UNITED STATES TET OFFICE Apron/tario cUrrrNG MACHINE tion of Delaware Application March 1, 1946, Serial No. 651,173

29 Claims.

The present invention relates to an automatic cupping machine. ItL has to do, more particularly, with an improved machine or apparatus for cupping or shaping glassware, such as glass tumblers, as they are moved along or transported on a conveyer, such as a glazer conveyor, after issuing from a forming machine or press.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved machine or apparatus for rapidly cupping or shaping a plurality of glass tumblers as they are being transported on a conveyer without impeding or interrupting the continuous movement or travel of the tumblers.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means of the foregoing character which may be of portable nature capable of being moved into position to cooperate with a conveyer, such as a moving glazer conveyer, to perform the desired cupping or shaping operation on tumblers being transported by the conveyer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic cupping machine or apparatus having cam-actuated means and crank means for moving the tumbler cupping head or heads through a complete cycle of movement into engagement with a tumbler or tumblers to cup or shape the same while traveling along with the moving tumblers and for returning the cupping head or heads to the starting position at the completion of a cycle in readiness for engagement and travel with the next successive tumbler or tumblers to perform the cupping or shaping operation thereupon.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic cupping or shaping machine or apparatus having improved means for engagement with successive moving tumblers to apply an inwardly directed rotating mechanical force to the `exterior of the upper portions of the tumblers to shape or cup the same while being held in predetermined nxed positions on a traveling or moving conveyer.

In the prior art it has lbeen the practice when cupping or shaping tumblers or other glassware, to apply mechanical pressure to the interior of the tumbler walls to force them outwardly into the desired shape. Such practice had the disadvantage of requiring the use of complicated and expensive mechanical means for carrying out the cupping or shaping operation. Other means employed consisted of cup-like heads which were forced by air pressure onto and over the top portions of tumblers to press the same into the desired shape. In accordance with the present invention rotating heads with a series of substantially frusto-conical rapidly rotating rollers are moved into contact with tumblers to shape or cup the same by the application of mechanical force exerted by the rapidly rotating rollers to the exterior` of the upper portions of the tumblers in downward and inward directions, with the heads and rollers being advanced or traveling in timed relation to the travel of the tumblers. The rotating heads with their rapidly rotating rollers are carried by suitable movable and ad justable frame portions of the cupping or shaping machine or apparatus which extend upwardly from the base thereof, the base being preferably mounted upon suitable supporting casters, thus permitting the entire machine or apparatus to lbe moved about from place to place when and if desirable. Power driven cam-actuated means and crank means form a part of the machine for moving the cupping heads and their associated parts into engagement with tumblers moving on a conveyer, to cause the heads to travel along with the tumblers as they are moved by the conveyer, to remove the cupping heads from engagement with the tumblers at the end of the forward travel of the cupping heads, and to return the cupping heads at an increased rate of speed to the starting point in readiness for engagement with successive tumblers. Thus, the cam-actuated means and crank means together serve to propel the cupping heads through a complete cycle of movement during which the tumblers are cupped or shaped.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine or apparatus of the foregoing character wherein the cupping heads may be maintained in elevated position at predetermined times and out of contact with the tumbers to be cupped or shaped, while permitting the heads and their associated cupping rollers to continue to rotate.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages oi the present invention will appear from the. following description and appended claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a cupping or shaping machine embodying the present invention and shown in operative relationship with the conveyer of a glazer for glassware.

Fig. 1a is an enlarged fragmentary detail horizontal sectional view, taken substantially along -ticed or carried out in various ways.

the line Ict-la of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the back side of the machine shown in Fig. 1, taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Fig, 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the machine of the preceding figures.

Fig. 4 is a, fragmentary elevational view taken substantially along the line fl-ll of Fig. 1, locking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail vertical sectional View through one of the cupping heads of the preceding views.

Fig. '7 is a perspective View looking toward the front side of the machine with certain of the parts omitted and showing one of the pair of cupping heads embodying'the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line -S of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9. is a schematic `view illustrating the path of movement of the pair ofVv clipping-heads of the machine embodying the invention during'a complete cycle of operation.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic view generally similar to Fig. 9, illustrating in detail the path of movement and the progressive positions of the parts during a cycle of one of the cupping heads.

Fig. 11 is a layout illustrating the progressive movement of the cam, crank arm, and counterbalance wheel for `controlling the operation of the cupping heads of the machine; and

Fig. 12 is a schematic View illustrating the rotary movement of the cupping heads and the independent rotary movement of the cupping rollers during the progressive movement of the heads with the work.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the detail of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and. of being prac- It is to be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention herein claimed beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, thereof, there is shown one form of machine or apparatus embodying the presentinvention. In its present form, the machine or apparatus is of portable nature capable of being moved, as a unit, from place to place overa supporting surface, permitting the machine or apparatus to be moved into cooperative relationship with a conveyor, such as a moving endless conveyor of a glazer, whereby the machine is capable of performing a cupping or shapingoperation upon a succession of tumblers or other glassware carried and being moved by the glazer conveyer.

As shown, the machine or apparatus comprises a supporting base l5 upon which a vsub-base or frame structure it is mounted. The sub-base l@ carries an upright standard or frame portion il which, in turn, supports a crosshead or horizontally disposed frame structure, shown as a whole at i3. The crosshead it is provided at one of its ends with a pair of rotatable depending cupping or shaping heads i9.

The structure above described is, as shown, of portable nature, the supporting base l5 being provided with casters or rollers iba.. These casters permit the machine or apparatus to be moved over a supporting surface when and if desirable. When the machine has been moved to the desired location, jack screws i519, one such being located at each corner of the supporting base l5, may be lowered or moved into Contact with the supporting surface to thus elevate the machine and the casters lila to bring the latter out of contact with the supporting surface.

The entire machine or apparatus may be adjusted longitudinally of the supporting base l5 by means of an adjusting screw 2li carried by a sprocket 2 i the screw 2d being mounted in an upright fixed supporting bracket 22 carried by the base i5. The bracket 22 carries a driving sprocket mounted upon a shaft having a crank handle 24, the sprockets 2l and 23 being drivingly connected together by a sprocket chain 25. Thus, by turning the crank handle 24, the screw shaft is'turned to move-the sub-frame it' toward'or away fromthe bracket Z2, dependent upon the direction ofrotationof thefcrank handle. The sub-frame iimis .guided during its longitudinal adjustment `on thebaseliby means of keepers or guideinembers'w.

The upright standard or framev portion il carries at one side thereof afvertically disposed guide i la or engaging fandfg-uiding a vertically reciprocable slide ld depending from and forming a part of the crosshead i3. A slide block |812 is associated with the slide ISa.

The sub-frame l carries at its upper portiona pair of transversely spaced horizontally disposed bearings El which support a transverlyextending crankshaft 2S. The crankshaft carries at one end a crank arm 23a connected in suitable manner to a connecting rod 253. The upper endof the connecting rod 2&3 is bifurcated or forked at 29a, see Figs. 2 and 7, and receives and supports a connectingrod block E80 which is connected by a pin or the like to the slide block i829. The members lila, ith and ic are adapted to be vertically reciprocated relative to the guide Ha and as a unit with the crosshead it when the crankshaft is driven. Moreover, the slide block i819 is adapted to be verticallyadjusted relativetothe slide ida by means of a threaded shaft 30. Thus, it will be seen, that the crosshead-lS may'be raised and lowered relative to the uprightstandard or frame portion il and theguide lla'when the crankshaft 2li, crank arm 28a and the connecting rod ES are driven. By virtue of a swinging block or latch member Si carried by a hori- Zontal shaft ila having handles Sib, see particularly Figs. l and 2, the crosshead i8 may be temporarily held in elevated position, whereupon continuing rotation of the crankshaft 2t andreciprocation of the connecting rod may take place without effecting the vertical reciprocation of the crosshead it and its attached cupping or shaping heads it).

The crankshaft 28 carries at its end opposite the crank arm 23a, a balance wheel 32. This shaft also carries a cam 33. A cam rollerv 33h is carried by the outer end of a supporting arm 33e. This .roller is held in fixed position in engagement with the cam track of 'cam 33, see Fig. '7. The shaft 2S is provided adjacent the balance wheel 32 with a sprocket 311i, the sprocket being connected through the medium of-a sprocket chain35 with a smaller sprocket 33 carried by the driven shaftof a gear reducing unit 31. This unit is connected by means of suitable shafting and couplings to an electric motor 38, the motor and gear reducing unit being mounted upon a base 39 which rests upon the base portion of the subframe I6. The base 39 is adjustable lengthwise of the sub-frame base by an adjusting screw 40 which is provided for the purpose of maintaining the drive chain 35 taut. During its adjusting movement, the base 39 is maintained in 'proper alignment by means of keepers or guide members 4I. The crankshaft 28 also carries a cam 33a which, as shown, is not connected with the remaining structure but which may be operatively connected in place of the cam 33 if a shorter stroke is desired. The cam 33 is designed to effect a nine inch stroke, whereas the cam 33a is designed for producing an eight inch stroke.

The crosshead structure carrying at one end the cupping heads I9 and may be swung about the vertical shaft 3!) in a horizontal plane when the latch 42, see par.. ticularly Figs. 1 and 5, is released from engagement with the fixed circular plate 43 which is mounted upon the upper end of the slide I8a. The main body portion or frame of the crosshead I8 carries an auxiliary adjustable frame 44 upon which an electric motor 45 is mounted. The electric motor 45 is provided for the purpose of rotating or driving the cupping heads I9. The motor shaft carries a driving pulley 43 which is connected by a belt 41 to a pair of driven pulleys 48 mounted upon separate shafts carried by the crosshead. Thus, by looseninng the bolt and nut 49, the auxiliary frame for the motor may be adjusted lengthwise to maintain the drive belt 41 taut.

As stated previously, the improved cupping or shaping heads I9 are mounted upon the end portion of the crosshead at the end thereof which is opposite to the motor 45. The crosshead I8 carries a vertically disposed xed plate 59 whose upper and lower edges are groovedv at a. The

upper groove is adapted to receive a substantially V-shaped projection 5Ia formed on a cupping guide 5I, as clearly seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 7. The cupping head guide 5I is provided with a pair of spaced substantially U-shaped brackets I52, which brackets carry the dual cupping heads I9. `When the guide 5I is assembled with the plate 50, a gib or key 53 is slid into place in the lower slot 50a and is held in position by means of bolts or `cap screws 54, one of which may be seen in Fig. '1. The opposite ends of the cupping head guide 5I carry substantially V-shaped plates 55 which are bolted to the guide. An adjusting screw 56 is passed through each of the plates I55 and engages the crosshead plate 5B. Thus, by adjusting the screws 55, the cupping head guide 5I may be adjusted lengthwise relative to the plate 50 and laterally of the crosshead I8 and its supported pair of cupping heads I9 in a horizontal plane.

Both of the cupping heads I9 are of the same construction and, therefore, only one of the heads will be described. The cupping head unit cornprises a tubular casing 51 which extends downwardly through the bracket 52 and has an annular flange 51a at its upper end which rests upon the upper edge of the cupping head guide 5l and the bracket 52. The casing '51 may be vertically adjusted relative to the bracket 52 and held in any desired adjusted position by a bolt or cap screw 58 which is located in a slot 52a formed in the bracket. A circular casing or housing I8, as shown, is a unitary shown as a Whole at 59 is secured to the lower end of the tubular member 51, said casing 59 beingin two parts and providing means for housing and supporting the cupping rollers and associated parts of the cupping head. A rotatably mounted sleeve member 50 extends vertically through the tubular member 51 and has xedly mounted upon its upper end, above the cupping head guide 5I, a pulley 5I. The sleeve 50 carries an internal non-rotative sleeve 52 through which extends a shaft or spindle 54 which carries at its lower end, tumbler-engaging and centering means, such as the foot or button 53. The upper end of the shaft or spindle 34 is enlarged at 64a to engage or seat upon a shoulder formed interiorly of the sleeve 62. The shaft or spindle 54 is adapted for vertical reciprocating movement in the sleeve 62 and is normally urged downward by a coiled compression spring 35, the spring engaging at its upper end, a cap 55 which is threaded onto the sleeve 62. A rod 51 is threaded through the cap 66 and is provided with a knurled operating handle 61a located above the cap 55. The spring 65 serves as a cushion for the spindle 54 and its foot or button 53 and the adjustable rod 61 provides stop means engaged by the upper end 54a ofthe spindle when the cupping head moves relative to said spindle. The position of the cupping head with relation to the position of the projectable tumbler-engaging and centering means may be varied by suitable adjustable means, such as that shown in Figs. 5 and "1. Such means comprises, as shown, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced parallel arms 'i3 and 14. The lower arm 13 is bolted at 13a to the tubular casing 51 and carries a pair of upwardly projecting threaded studs 15. The upper arm 14 is fixedly attached to the upper end portion of sleeve 52 and the threaded portions of the studs extend through openings formed adjacent opposite ends of this arm. Adjusting and lock nuts 35a are associated with the studs above and below the arm 14 which permit adjustment of the sleeve 52 relative to the remainder of the cupping head unit so as to set or adjust the cupping heads for tumblers T or other glassware of different heights.

It will be understood that the shaft or spindle 54 normally does not rotate but is free to turn in the sleeve 52 when pressure is applied thereto through the medium of the engagement of the tumbler-engaging and centering means 53 with a tumbler T.

The sleeve 55 is adapted to be rotated by the pulley 5i which is driven by means of a belt 63 from the reduced portion of the pulley 43, see

Figs. l and 5. It is to be understood that the upper or cap portion 59a of the circular casing 59 does not rotate but that the lower portion 59h of said casing, which houses the gearing to be described below, is capable of rotation. Such rotation is imparted to the lower portion 59h of the circular casing by the sleeve 59 to which it is secured by a lock ring or ring nut 15, see Figs. 5 and 6. The sleeve 55 extends through and is rotatable relative to a fixed gear or pinion 69 which is secured by bolts 59a to the cap portion 59d of the casing 53, see Fig. 6. This gear or pinion S9 is in mesh with a plurality of driven gears or pinions 19, ve such being shown. The gears 'Eil are mounted upon short shafts 1I which project downwardly through openings formed in the rotatable portion 55h of the casing. Each shaft 'Il carries at its lower end, a cupping or shaping roller 12 which, as shown, is of substantially frusto-conical form having a concave outer surfaceor face. The gears 'l0 are of somewhat smaller diameter than the fixed gear te and as the casingportion ef'b is rotated around the fixed gear!` 69,. the smaller gears l@ are driven at` high speed; thus causing the shafts 'El and their cupping rollers 'i2' to rotate at'high speed independently oi'thecupping head and while said head is also rotating,

Suitable'anti-ffriction ball bearing assemblies 'l'l and 'E8 are provided between the rotatable sleeve. Siand the tubular member or housing El of thecupping head unit. Lubricant is supplied to the: parts through fittings le and lid, see Fig. 5, and suitable lubricant-retaining means are provided at appropriate places to prevent the escape' of the lubricant.

The releasable latch member ft2, previously referred. to, is provided with a compression spring fata and the keeper pin i273 which permits the release of the latch to allow the crosshead and the cupping or shaping head units to swing about the shaft dil in the event any undue pressure s applied: tothe cupping heads during the'operation of the machine.

lt is desirable to maintain the concave outer surfaces of the shaping or cupping rollers 'l2 polished and free of foreign matteil at all times. Fcrthis purpose, see Fig. 6, the lower portion 59h of the casing is provided with a plurality of spaced depending arms di whose lower ends carry a band or skirt-lile strip piece of feltor other'suitable fabric 82. rEhe depending arms` 8i are shaped at their lower end portions in a man'- ner which will maintain the band of felt in intimate contact at all times with the surfaces ofthe rollers. The arms and their supported band are preferably removably attached to the casing portion to' by screws or the like ein. The fabric bandv or strip 32 maybe easily removed i'rorrr the arms 8i and replaced by a new piece when desirable,

In Fig. l the automatic shaping or clipping machine'is shown as positioned in operative relationshiplwith theconveyer of a glaner, indicated as a whole at G; The glazer conveyor is of conventional form and comprises a series or plurality of formers F arranged in spaced relation for supe porting individual tumblers T and for continuously transporting such tumblers. As seen in this ligure, the main body portion oi the automatic cupping machine is positioned at one side of the glaner conveyor G with the dual rotatable shaping Orpupping heads id overlying the path of travel of the conveyor iormers F.

In Fig. 8 there is shown in detail the planetary arrangement of the gearing for rotating the shaping or cupping rollers l2 of one of the cupping heads, the central non-rotative gear 65S being surrounded by the ve rotatable smaller gears 7B. It will be understood that the lower casing portion 59h rotates as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8 and that each of the smaller gears 'ld rotates independently of the rotation of the casing and while the latter is rotating.

The schematic view of Fig. l2 serves to indicate by arrows, the rotative movement or the dual heads and the independent rotative movement of the shaping or cupping rollers, as well as the progressive or advancing movement of the heads during this rotation.

The schematic and layout views of Fig. 9, l0 and l1 illustrate the cycle of movement oi the clipping heads and of the operating cam 33, Fig. 9 indicates by arrows, the cycle of movement of the dual shapingv or cupping heads I9. These two' heads asv shown in solid lines are atthe sta-Y tion or location 0 9 on the conveyer, corresponding to the 0 sector of the cam 33', shown in Fig. il' at which point the :crank arm 28u. is in horizontal position asalso indicated at 0 inFig. lll", witlr the cam roller 33h being at position 0 within the `cani groove or slot of cam 33. The downward movement of the crank arm '28a is represented by 0-1-23456'7891011l2, these points showing the different elevations of the cupping heads proper. The cupping stroke six inches down and six inches up. YThe remainder of the stroke is for the return movement ofthe clipping heads to complete a cycle at a somewhat faster speed due to the shape or design of the cam track or groove of cam 33. It will be understood that the cup'ping heads and theirrollers descend the full six inches, whereas the spindle or rod @El carrying the tumbler-engaging and centering means does not travel as' far 'asthe heads and reaches the lower end of its strolrebetween stations 3 and 6. l'hespring 5 is compressed by the spindle during its movement between stations 3 and 6. As the cupping heads-now move upwardly, the spindle eil' returnsto its upper position during its travel from station 61 to station 9. This action is clearly illustratedw in Fig. l0.

The balance wheel 32 begins to function at station 1, thus bythe time the cupping heads are in their lowermost positions, the momentum of the balance wheel will assist in the elevation or raising ofthe cup-ping heads IQ. It will be understood that the shaping or cupping of the tumbler-s Toccurs between stations 3 and 6, whereas these cupping heads, that is the shaping rollers thereolli-move away from the pair of tumblers T between stations 6 and 9, see Figs, 9 and 10, In these iigures the movement or travel of the tumbler-engaging or centering members 63 is indicated by arrows.

It will be understood that the stroke of the crank arm 29a is twelve inches, whereas the movement of the cupping heads H9 is nine inches, innaccordance with the particular operating cam 33 being used.

In Fig. ll the relative movements and locations of each ofthe three units, namely the crank arm 2da, the cam roller 33h and the balance wheel 32', are indicated through one-half revolution or'travel of a complete cycle of twelve inches.

The operation of the machine or apparatus of theipresent invention is substantially as follows:

AsI stated above, the automatic shaping or cupping machine of the present invention is adapted to shape or cup a pair of spaced glass tumblers which are traveling in a series on the formers F of the conveyor of a glazer without interrupting or retarding the travel of said tumblers on said convey-er. The machine is placed at one side of the conveyer of a glaner G as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, with the dual rotating shaping or cupping heads le of said machine arranged in line and overlying the conveyer so that the heads may be moved into and out of engagement with separate glass tumblers and move along with said tumblers duringtheir travel to perform the shaping orecupping operation on the tumblers'.

Withthe glaner conveyor traveling at its normal speed-and supporting and transportingV a plurality of spaced glass tumblers, the electric motors 38 and 145 are started in operation to effect the operation of the shaping or cupping machine. The electric motor 38vdrives the reduction gearing housed n gear box 31 and through the connections described above, eiects the rotation of the crankshaft 28, cam 33 and crank arm 28a, the latter being connected through the mechanism previously described with the crosshead i8 to move said head up and down to impart a like motion to the dual cupping heads l!! and to advance the cupping heads at the same speed in a forward direction as the speed of movement of the conveyer. At the same time, the electric motor, through the mechanical connections described above, effects the rotation of the dual heads I9 and the rapid rotation of the five cupping rollers T2 of each cupping head. As clearly j seen in the schematic views, particularly Figs. 9

and 10, the spindle 64 is projected downwardly until the tumbler-engaging and centering member 63 thereof contacts the inner surface of a tumbler base, whence the projection ceases and the spindle is cushioned by the spring 65. At the same time, the shaping or cupping rollers 12 are s moved downwardly into engagement with the upper portion of a tumbler T to apply pres vire in downward and inward directions to cup the same. It will be understood that the tumbler-engaging means 63 and the five shaping rollers 12 of both cupping heads move in unison. During the engagement of the members 63 and 'l2 with a pair of spaced tumblers T, the heads I9 travel forwardly or along with the glazer conveyer. The

rollers are gradually released from engagement f with the tumblers, as are the members 63, this occurring during the elevation of the crosshead I8 and the dual shaping or cupping heads I9 due to the formation and rotation of the cam 33. A cycle of movement of the pair of cupping heads I9 is completed by said heads shifting rearwardly above the conveyer at a somewhat faster speed than their advance movement and then shifting downwardly again at a slower rate of speed until the parts of the dual heads engage another pair of spaced tumblers and travel through another complete cycle of operations. The cycle of movement of the cupping heads I9 is controlled or governed by the crankshaft 2B and associated parts, and by the cam 33 with which the cam roller 33h is in operative engagement. It will be understood that the dual cupping heads I9 and the rollers 'I2 are constantly rotated at constant speeds through the medium of power derived from the electric motor 45 and the associated drive mechanism and gearing.

The movement of the machine is coordinated with the speed of travel of the conveyer with which it is associated so that the dual shaping or cupping heads rapidly and eiciently perform shaping or cupping operations on successive pairs of tumblers which are being transported by the conveyer.

The machine or apparatus of the present invention is fully automatic and the parts thereof are adjustable so as to accommodate the machine to glass tumblers or other glassware of different height and which may be arranged on a conveyer in different spaced relationship.v

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1.- An automatic cupping machine adapted for association with .a glazer conveyer for conveying s means forming a part of each of the cupping heads for centering and maintaining a tumbler in position to be engaged by the rollers of the head, means for moving the centering means into engagement with the tumbler, means for rotating the cupping heads and the plurality `of rollers of the heads, and means for moving the heads into and out of engagement with a pair of spaced tumblers and simultaneously advancing said heads as the tumblers are advanced by the glazer conveyer.

2. In a machine for cupping glass tumblers or other articles on a moving conveyer wherein said machine is located at a side of the conveyer and has a portion thereof overhanging and in coop-1 erative relationship with the tumblers being moved by said conveyer, a supporting base, an upright sub-base adjustably mounted on the supporting base, a vertical slide base extending upwardly from the sub-base and mounted for reciprocating movementthereon, a crosshead carried by the verticalslide base and movable in a vertical plane relative to said slide base, a pair of rotatable cupping heads mounted at one end of said crosshead and overlying the moving conveyer, each of said cupping heads including a plurality of high speed rotatable concave rollers arranged in a circle and tumbler-engaging and centering means located within the circle and adapted to be projected downwardly beyond said rollers at predetermined times, means for rotating the cupping heads and the rollers of the cupping heads, means for projecting the centering means into engagement with a tumbler at predetermined times, and

.` means for moving the cupping heads into and out provided with adjustable surface-engaging sup-y porting means for elevating the machine to remove said casters from engagement with the supporting surface.

4. A machine according to claim 2, wherein the vcupping heads are adjustable toward andvaway from one another to compensate for different spacing of the tumblers on said conveyer.

5. In a machine for `cupping glass tumblers or other articles on a moving conveyer wherein said machine is located at a side of the conveyerand has a portion thereof overhanging and in cooperative relationship with the tumblers being moved by said conveyer, a supporting base, an upright sub-base adjustably mounted on the supporting base, a vertical slide base extending upwardly from the sub-base and mounted for reciprocating movement thereon, a crosshead carried by the vertical slide base and movable in avertical plane relative to said slide base, a pair of rotatable cupping heads mounted at one end of said orosshead and overlying the moving conveyer, each of said cupping heads including a plurality of high speed rotatable concave rollers arranged in a circle and tumbler-engaging and centering means located within the circle and adapted to be projected downwardly beyond said rollers at predetermined times, means for rotating the cupping heads and the rollers of the cupping heads, means for projecting the centering means into engagement with a tumbler at predetermined times, and means for moving the cupping heads 1l. into and out'of engagement with successive `pairs of ltumblers to cup the same and for simultaneouslyadvancing lthe heads through a complete cycle in coordination with the movement of the tumbler-carrying conveyer.

H6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein cam-actuated means advances the cupping heads through aportion of their cycle of movement at thesame speedas thespeed-of travel of the tumblers `arldconveyer and returns'th'e same through another portion of said cycle at a speed greater than :the speed of travel of the conveyor.

7. yA machine .according to claim l, wherein means .is providedfor maintaining the concave surfaces of therollers of the cupping heads polished at'all times.

8. A machine according to claim 2, wherein meansis provided for maintaining the outer surfacesof the concave rollers ofthe cupping heads polished 'at lall times.

9. A machine according to claim 2, wherein meansis `provided for :maintaining the cupping heads .in elevated pcsitionoutof contact lwith the tumblers4 yat lpredetermined times while at the same ltime permitting the continued rotation of said rollers.

510;'.In1a machhie for `clipping glass tumblers or'nther articles cnafmoving conveyer ywherein said ymaclfnne .-is located ata side of the conveyer and :has a yportion thereof overhanging and in cooperative Vrelationship with` the turmblers being movedvby'said conveyer, a `supporting base, an upright sub-hase -adjustably lmounted Aon the surpportingfbase,` a vertical :slide lbase extending upwardly from the sub-base "and mounted for reciprocatingmovement thereon, a crosshead carriedfby the vertical slide base and movable in a vertical plane relative ltolsaid slide base, `a pair of :cupping heads mounted at one `end of. said crosshead andfoverlying. the moving conveyor, each .of :said euppingheads .including a vplurality of vrotatable lcon'cave'rolle-rs` arranged in a circle and tlnnbler-engagin-g and` centering means located-within the circle-and adapted `to be .projected-downwardly beyond said rollers at predetermined 'times, means 4lor rotating the cup- Aping heads and the rollers of the clipping heads, means for, projecting .the-centering means into engagement with `a tumbler at `predetermined times,- and means .tor imparting a cycle of movement to the cuppingl heads :intimed vrelation to the ltravel Vof thecorweyer and supported tumhlers whereby the rollers of Vthe heads are moved into contactwith a pair of spaced tumblers to cup the same and advanced with the tumblers while performing the clipping operation thereon, moved out of engagement with said tumblers and returnedl 11o-positions to 'be vengaged with successive ytimlblers.

1l. Aimachine according to claim l0, vwherein the return travel of the-cupping heads is at a4 greater-rateof speed Ithan the advance travel thereof.

12. `A machineaocording to claim .5, wherein the clipping. heads Vare adjustable .toward and awayiromone another tio-compensate for different spacing of the tmnblersy onsaid conveyer.

13. .A .machineaccording to @claim 5, wherein the .last-named means .is cam-actuated means which advances `the clipping heads through a portionof .their cycle of movement at the same speed as the speedcf travel of the tumblers and conveyer and .returns thesame through another portion of said cycleat a speed greater than the speed of travel of the conveyer, and wherein the cupping heads` are adjustable Vtoward and away from one another to compensate for different spa cing of the `tumblers on said conveyor.

le. A `machine according to claim 1, wherein the clipping heads are vertically adjustable to raise or lower the rolle-rs thereof to accommodate tumbler-s of dierent heights.

15. A machine according `to claim 2, wherein the cuppingl heads are vertically adjustable to raise or'lower-the rollers thereof to accommodate tumhlers of different heights.

i6. In a tumbler cupping apparatus adapted tofbe 4associated with a moving conveyor having farmers for supporting a plurality of tumblers in spaced relation thereon, la clipping head located in position cverhanging said conveyor, said head Icomprising a plurality of tumbler-cuppingv members for cfu'pping successive tumblers carried by the iormers, means carried by the capping head for `holding a tumbler in position. on la former during the capping operation, said tumbler-capping members being a plurality of forming tellers adapted to engage the outside of the trunlcler and said trembler-holding Imeans being an axially projectable member adapted tofengagetheinner surface of the bottom of smd tumbler, means for projecting said 'last-named member int-o a tumbler, andmeans icrrotating sai-d clipping head and said tuntbler-cuplping rollers.

17. An apparatus.accordingto claim 16, whereinthe tumbler-clipping -members are a plurality ,circularly arranged rapidly rotatingV concave rollers 'and wherein the tumbler-holding means isan axially prcjectable spindle located `within the circle Vand carrying-at its lower/end a tumblerengaging and holding foot.

18.' An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein meansis Iprovided for moving the capping head Y intoengagement Awith atumbler, rormoving said headl along with said tumbler, for disengaging thahead from `the tumbler, andfor returning the head to its starting position in readiness to be engaged with. the next successive-tumbler.

'19. -An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the tumbler-capping members are a plurality of circularly arranged-rapidly rotating concave rollers, wherein the Vtumbler-.holding means is an axially .-projectable spindle located with the circle and carrying at its lower end autumblerengaging and holding root,.and wher-ein means is provided for moving the cuplping head into engagement with a tumbler, --for moving said `head along with said turnlbler, for disengaging the head `from the tumbler, and for returning the head `to its starting position in readiness to be engaged with the `next successive tumbler.

2Q. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein thelcupping headisl-rotated and wherein the clipping members are positively rotated at high speedindependently of the rotation of the head.

21. An automatic-cupping machine adapted for association with a glazer conveyer for conveying glass articles, comprising a supporting base, a sub-base adjustably mountedv on the supporting base, an upright standard carried by said subbase, a supporting arm carried by said standard, a rotatable cupping head carried by -said arm, a plurality of high speed rotatable concave rollers carried by said cupping head, means forming apart of the cupping head for centering and maintaining a glass article in position to be engaged by the rollers of the head, means for moving the centering means .into engagement with the article, means .for rotating the cupping head 13 and the plurality of rollers of the head, and means for moving the head into and out of engagement with a glass article and simultaneously advancing the head as the article is advanced by the glazer conveyer.

22. In a machine for cupping glass articles or other articles on a moving conveyer wherein said machine is located at a side of the conveyer and has a portion thereof overhanging and in cooperative relationship with the articles being moved by said conveyer, a supporting base, an upright sub-base adjustably mounted on the supporting base, a vertical slide base extending upwardly from the sub-base/and mounted for reciprocating movement thereon, a supporting arm carried by the vertical slide base and movable in a vertical plane relative to said slide base, a rotatable cupping head mounted Aon said arm and overlying the moving conveyer, said cupping head including a plurality of high speed rotatable concave rollers arranged in a circle and article-engaging and centering means located within the circle and adapted to be projected downwardly beyond said rollers at predetermined times, means for rotating the cupping head and the rollers of the cupping head, means for projecting the centering means into engagement with an article at predetermined times, and means for moving said cupping head into and out of engagement with an article for cupping the same and for simultaneously advancing said head as the article is advanced by the conveyer.

23. In a machine for cupping glass articles or other articles on a moving conveyer wherein said machine is located at a side of the conveyer and ha-s a portion thereof overhanging and in cooperative relationship with the articles being moved by said conveyer, a supporting base, an upright sub-base adjustably mounted on the supporting base, a vertical slide base extending upwardly from the sub-base and mounted for reciprocating movement thereon, a supporting arm carried by the vertical slide base and movable in a vertical plane relative to said slide base, a rotatable cupping head mounted on said arm and overlying the moving conveyer, said cupping head including a plurality of high speed rotatable concave rollers arranged in a circle and article-engaging and centering means located within the circle and adapted to be projected downwardly beyond said rollers at predetermined times, means for rotating the cupping head and the rollers of the cupping head, means for projecting the centering means into engagement with an article at predetermined times, and means for imparting a cycle of movement to the cupping head in timed relation to the travel of the conveyer and supported articles whereby the rollers of the head are moved into engagement with successive articles to cup the same and are advanced with the article while performing the cupping operation thereon, moved out of engagement with said article and returned to position to be engaged with the successive article on the conveyer.

24. A machine according to claim 23 wherein said last-named means includes cam-actuated mechanism which advances the cupping head through a portion of its cycle of movement at the same speed as the speed 0f travel of the article and conveyer and returns the same through another portion of said cycle at a speed greater than the speed of travel of the conveyer.

25. A machine according to claim 23 wherein means is provided for maintaining the concave surfaces of the rollers of the cupping head polished at all times, said means comprising an annular polishing member surrounding and engaging the said circle of concave rollers.

26. A machine for cupping glass articles or other articles on a moving conveyer having a straight portion with which the machine is associated, comprising a supporting frame, an upright standard carried by the frame and reciprocably mounted thereon for movement substantially parallel to said portion of the conveyer, said upright standard being provided with a vertical guide, a slide mounted in said guide, a horizontally disposed arm carried by said slide and extending over said conveyer, a cupping head mounted on said arm for engaging successive articles on the conveyer, and means for simultaneously moving said slide downwardly and moving said upright standard in the same direction as the advancing conveyer so that an article on the conveyer will be engaged by the cupping head as it moves along with the conveyer.

27. A machine according to claim 26 wherein said last-named means includes a rotatable shaft provided with a crank arm and a cam for rotation therewith, a connecting rod connecting said crank arm and said slide, and cam-engaging means carried by said standard and engaging said cam.

28. A structure according to claim 27 wherein said shaft is horizontally disposed and the crank arm is located at one end thereof, and a balance wheel disposed on Ithe opposite end of said shaft.

29. A machine according to claim 26 wherein the cupping head includes a member for entering the article and holding it in position on the conveyer and a forming member for engaging the outer surface of the article.

WILLIAM L. MCNAMARA. FREDERICK Z. FOUSE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 622,457 Fondu Apr. 4, 1899 1,816,280 Dawson et al. July 28, 1931 2,259,377 Haub Oct. 14, 1941 

